Lab: protected access modifier

Objective

In this lab, we will delve into the principles of object oriented programming, focusing on access modifiers and inheritance. Specifically, we’ll explore how to use the protected access modifier and how it affects the way classes interact with each other.

Provided Code

Carefully review the provided code. Notice how the Current field and the MoveNext() methods are marked as protected. This means they are accessible within the class Sequence and any of its derived classes, but not from outside these classes. Also notice how MoveNext is the only method marked as virtual.

class Sequence {
    protected int Current;

    public Sequence(int start)
        => Current = start;

    protected virtual void MoveNext()
        => Current++;

    public int[] Take(int n) {
        int[] result = new int[n];
        for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
            MoveNext();
            result[i] = Current;
        }
        return result;
    }
}

The below script needs to be able to find the current output cell; this is an easy method to get it.

Attempting to invoke Current or MoveNext() from outside will result in a compilation error, demonstrating the encapsulation aspect of object oriented programming.

Sequence seq = new Sequence(1);

Console.WriteLine(seq.Current); // Error! ❌

Console.WriteLine(seq.MoveNext()); // Error! ❌

(3,23): error CS0122: 'Sequence.Current' is inaccessible due to its protection level

(5,23): error CS0122: 'Sequence.MoveNext()' is inaccessible due to its protection level

Instructions

Step 1: Implement StepSequence

Write a class called StepSequence that inherits from Sequence. This class’s constructor must take two integers. One is called start and represents the starting number while the other is called steps and dictates the increment for each MoveNext call. You must ensure that every invocation of MoveNext() increments Current by steps.

When you’re done, you should be able to run the following code:

Sequence seq = new StepSequence(10, 3);

Console.WriteLine(String.Join(", ", seq.Take(10)));

13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40

🤔 Reflection

How does overriding the MoveNext() method in derived classes alter the behavior of the Take(int n) method? Reflect on the principles of polymorphism and inheritance in this context.

Step 2: Implement EvenSequence

Write a class called EvenSequence that inherits from Sequence. The purpose of this class is to generate a sequence of even numbers. You must implement the constructor so that we start at an even number and override the method MoveNext() so that we always moves to an even number.

Sequence seq = new EvenSequence(9);

Console.WriteLine(String.Join(", ", seq.Take(10)));

12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30

Challenge

As a challenge, modify the StepSequence class to allow dynamic changes to the step value after object instantiation. This should be done without compromising the encapsulation of the Current field.

Ensure that the Current field remains protected and cannot be directly modified from outside the class.

Here’s an example of how it might work:

StepSequence seq = new StepSequence(10, 5);

Console.WriteLine(String.Join(", ", seq.Take(18)));

seq.Steps += 95;

Console.WriteLine(String.Join(", ", seq.Take(10)));

15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100

200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100

Conclusion

No time for a conclusion. You’re too fast. ⚡️